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The rear end rescue blog - an anal gland surgery diary

Like many other cavalier’s, Molly and Éowyn have had many infections in their anal glands. We have been to all vet checks as recommended (at least once a year) where the anal glands also were checked and expressed. The first couple of years no serious problems, but now the infection comes back every 8-10 months; normally without any “warning” beforehand. We considered surgery for a long time, but it was difficult to find any written experience about it. Therefore I am writing this blog diary from a couple of days before their surgery, and until they have recovered. Hopefully you will find it useful, and please feel free to comment with your experiences, too. Surgery is not something you should do without considering it carefully, and we have had many thoughts and discussions about it beforehand. There are good and bad experiences with surgery, and this is just one point of view.

Almost one month has passed now, and the furry ones are very well indeed. The fur is growing back on their behind, and there have not been any problems since. The first week after stitch removal I was very concerned, when they scooted over the floor; if their wounds could split open or something, but of course nothing happened. They still scoot over the floor if they want to go out playing (most often) or if they really have to go

This is the long awaited day. The last night in the guest room was suddenly easy to get through. They both pooped and got washed before bedtime, and they fell asleep without too much complaining.
They must have sensed something was up, because the morning was mayhem. When Christian left for work I had to find my clothes, so I could change for a work meeting later, but they were running around, barking, heading to the door, barking again - and honestly,
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Apart from Molly’s complaining about being in the crate again, the night went well. They woke up 5 minutes before the alarm bell, and ran towards the scullery as soon as I had prepared their breakfast and medicine and could let them out of the crate.

They both pooped as they should; Molly managed it last night, too, but Éowyn was “one behind”. It went effortless, though. Molly was a bit more difficult to clean, she has started a bad habit of jumping over my arm that holds her; so
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This night felt really short. I was home late, and the dogs were up early. At 5 a.m. they began to roam around their crate, and I begin to miss 8 hours of coherent sleep. But still, all is well, and I am happy that we are nearing the end without serious complications.

At 6.15 a.m. we got up, and the morning routine followed. However, and this is just my not validated theory, but they must have been holding poo back the first days!!! Éowyn had to poop thrice this morning (and three
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It’s a week since their surgery, and Molly and Éowyn are doing fine. The stitches still are where they should be, and apart from occasional attempts to scoot over the carpet to get relief from the itching, and attempts to get to their behind, the biggest challenge is now to keep them calm.

The night was good, they didn’t howl, or had pains, but I do wake up a lot. Every time they shift position in the crate I hear the noise of the plastic cone banging towards the iron lattice. I think
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